Will Thailand's tourism tax ultimately be imposed, despite delays? The country's new tourism minister, Sorawong Thienthong, has stated that he is contemplating reviving the collection of the 300-baht (Rs 750) tourism tax, which was put on hold by the previous administration led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. The minister, who started office on Monday, has committed to boost tourist earnings by at least 3 trillion baht this year.

"I believe the collection of tourism fees benefits the tourism industry since the revenue can be used for the development of infrastructure and attractions, as well as to ensure tourist safety," Sorawong told Reuters.

The tourism charge, which was agreed by the Thai cabinet in 2022, has yet to be implemented due to a lack of formal support through the Royal Gazette. Although there were intentions to adopt it earlier, they were dropped due to objections from the corporate sector. The tourist ministry has not announced whether collection will start in the fourth quarter of the year. Sorawong indicated that additional time is required to evaluate the system before moving further.

According to Bangkok Post, Thailand's leading newspaper, the price structure, which has not altered since it was initially suggested five years ago, includes:

1. Air travelers pay 300 baht (about Rs 750)

2. Visitors entering by land or water pay 150 baht (about Rs 380)

Who will be excluded from this tax?

Certain groups will not have to pay the charge, including:

1. Children under two in transit

2. Diplomatic passport holders

3. Individuals holding work permits

Tourist Tariffs are a Global Trend

Thailand is not alone in considering a tourism tax. Popular towns throughout the world, like Edinburgh, Barcelona, Paris, and Venice, impose comparable fees. Rates and conditions vary greatly according on location and kind of lodging. Tourists in Barcelona pay a regional tax and a city levy, which can add up to several euros per night depending on where they stay. Paris' tourist tax is calculated depending on the kind of lodging and the star level, with luxury hotels paying greater taxes.

In Austria, tourists are required to pay a nightly hotel tax, which varies by province. In major places such as Vienna and Salzburg, the fee might be around 3.02% of the hotel bill per person. According to the Indian Embassy in Austria, this tax is applied to the hotel fees.

Belgium also charges a tourist fee, which varies by city and hotel size or grade. According to the Embassy of Belgium in India, tourists to Brussels normally spend roughly €7.50 (approximately Rs 702 per room). This cost is normally collected during check-in or check-out and is included in the overall lodging bill.

Bhutan has a unique approach to tourist taxes, charging tourists a daily charge to encourage sustainable tourism. Tourists must pay $100 (about Rs 8,395) each day beginning in 2024, with the tax scheduled to stay in force until at least 2027. Bhutan's hefty costs are designed to protect its cultural assets and ecology while limiting the number of tourists.

These taxes are normally collected at check-in or check-out and are required for most tourists, however certain exceptions exist, such as for minors or business travelers in certain circumstances.